Moonpenny Island

Reviewed by: Cathy Potter - Falmouth Elementary School, Falmouth, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: July 7, 2015

Review

Moonpenny Island is a coming of age story about eleven year-old Flor. Flor's life in the tight-knit community of Moonpenny Island seems like it is out of control. Her mother has left the island to stay with relatives indefinitely, her best friend Sylvie is now attending school on the mainland, and her teenage sister is sneaking around at night. As Flor’s personal life feels like it is beginning to unravel, she must continue with her homework for demanding teacher, Mrs. DeFoe, and help her father take care of her young brother. Middle grade readers will relate to Flor and her school and family dilemmas in this realistic fiction story told in the present tense. The characters are well-developed, and Springstubb’s language is beautiful- both descriptive and lyrical. Life lessons from Anne of Avonlea parallel the lessons the characters learn in story. The story's conclusion will satisfy readers without being too contrived or unbelievable.

Overall Book Score: excellent